ANNEX D
The British representative (Mr Day) said that the discussion reflected the importance attached by Commonwealth countries to human rights. The Gambian government were to be congratulated for raising the subject and 'concentrating our minds'' on it. For their part, the British government would see some advantage in the proposal for a Special Unit, especially in a promotional role. He shared the hope expressed by others that the Unit, if established, would be able to operate without giving rise to additional costs; perhaps this aspect could be considered by the Review Group. So far as the Advisory Committee was concerned,
it was clear from the discussions so far that considerable
reservations were felt about the nature and purpose of the Committee; he therefore agreed that it would be better to consider the matter further. He had no particular views as to where this might best be done - it could be at the next Law Ministers' meeting or elsewhere. Referring to the Indian representative's remarks, he agreed that it would be useful to lend support to the existing United Nations machinery. He suggested that the meeting might encourage governments to adhere to the United
Nations conventions.